Looking back at Elian Gonzalez

December 11, 2013 12:50 PM

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Elian Gonzalez, center, posses for a photograph along with two Cuban army soldiers during the UJC, Union of Young Communists, congress in Havana Sunday April 4, 2010. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle 10 years ago in April 2000, attended Cuba's Young Communist Union wearing an olive green military school uniform.(AP Photo/Ismael Francisco, Prensa Latina) less

Elian Gonzalez, center, posses for a photograph along with two Cuban army soldiers during the UJC, Union of Young Communists, congress in Havana Sunday April 4, 2010. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an ... more

Photo: AP

Elian Gonzalez, center, posses for a photograph along with two... Photo-5584609.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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Cuba's President Raul Castro, left, and Elian Gonzalez attend an official event in Havana, Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Castro and a now 16-year-old Gonzalez attended an official event marking the 10-year anniversary of the time when the former cast away child whose mother died at sea became the center of a politically-charged international custody battle, ending with his repatriation to Cuba and his father. (AP Photo/Adalberto Roque, Pool) less

Cuba's President Raul Castro, left, and Elian Gonzalez attend an official event in Havana, Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Castro and a now 16-year-old Gonzalez attended an official event marking the 10-year ... more

FILE - In this June 30, 2010 file photo, Elian Gonzalez attends an official event with Cuba's President Raul Castro in Havana, Cuba. The young Cuban raft boy who was the subject of a high-profile international custody dispute more than a decade ago, turned 20 on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013. Cuban state media report that Gonzalez is in Ecuador as part of a delegation of the World Festival of Youth and Students, his first trip overseas trip since he was reunited with his father in 2000. (AP Photo/Adalberto Roque, File Pool) less

FILE - In this June 30, 2010 file photo, Elian Gonzalez attends an official event with Cuba's President Raul Castro in Havana, Cuba. The young Cuban raft boy who was the subject of a high-profile international ... more

Elian GonzaleZ holds a Cuban flag during the UJC, Union of Young Communists, congress in Havana Sunday April 4, 2010. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle 10 years ago in April 2000, attended Cuba's Young Communist Union wearing an olive green military school uniform.(AP Photo/Ismael Francisco, Prensa Latina) less

Elian GonzaleZ holds a Cuban flag during the UJC, Union of Young Communists, congress in Havana Sunday April 4, 2010. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle 10 years ago in ... more

Cuban young militant Elian Gonzalez, right, accompanied by a fellow militant, smiles as he attends an event marking the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban National hero, Argentinean Ernesto "Che" Guevara in Havana, Saturday, June 14, 2008. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle eight years ago, has joined Cuba's Young Communist Union. Communist youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde quotes Elian Gonzalez as saying he will never let down ex-President Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro, who succeeded Fidel earlier this year. (AP Photo/AIN, Marisol Ruiz Zoto) less

Cuban young militant Elian Gonzalez, right, accompanied by a fellow militant, smiles as he attends an event marking the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban National hero, Argentinean Ernesto "Che" ... more

Julio Martinez, left, first secretary of the Union of Communist Young people of Cuba, UJC, gives an UJC's identity card to Cuban young Elian Gonzalez, left, during an event marking the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban National hero, Argentinean Ernesto "Che" Guevara in Havana, Saturday, June 14, 2008. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle eight years ago, has joined Cuba's Young Communist Union. Communist youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde quotes Elian Gonzalez as saying he will never let down ex-President Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro, who succeeded Fidel earlier this year. (AP Photo/AIN) less

Julio Martinez, left, first secretary of the Union of Communist Young people of Cuba, UJC, gives an UJC's identity card to Cuban young Elian Gonzalez, left, during an event marking the 80th anniversary of the ... more

Photo: AP

Julio Martinez, left, first secretary of the Union of Communist... Photo-5584621.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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This handout picture released by Cubadebate shows Cuban Elian Gonzalez taking part in the IX Union of Communist Youth (UJC) in Havana on April 3, 2010. The Young Cuban communists gathered this weekend to map a future without Fidel and Raul Castro amid a deepening economic crisis, generational apathy and disenchantment with the revolution. AFP PHOTO/CUBADEBATE BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE NO SALES GETTY OUT (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images) less

This handout picture released by Cubadebate shows Cuban Elian Gonzalez taking part in the IX Union of Communist Youth (UJC) in Havana on April 3, 2010. The Young Cuban communists gathered this weekend to map a ... more

In this image from a television broadcast April 13, 2000 on Univision, six -year-old Elian Gonzalez is seen in a home video. Elian, speaking in Spanish addressed his father, saying: ``I don't want to go to Cuba. ... I want to stay here.'' The video was obtained by Univision and shown today on ABC's ``Good Morning America.'' The translation was by ABC. (AP Photo/Univision) HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/14/2000): A videotape of Elian Gonzalez saying he does not wish to return to Cuba was released Thursday by his relatives in Miami. less

In this image from a television broadcast April 13, 2000 on Univision, six -year-old Elian Gonzalez is seen in a home video. Elian, speaking in Spanish addressed his father, saying: ``I don't want to go to ... more

Photo: AP

In this image from a television broadcast April 13, 2000 on... Photo-5584623.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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RETRANSMISSION TO ADD GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S LAST NAME-The grandfather of Elian Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez, right, and his great grandmother Ramona Garrido, left, tell Elian to wave to schoolmates at Havana international airport , Wednesday, June 28, 2000. (AP Photo/Jose Goitia) less

RETRANSMISSION TO ADD GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S LAST NAME-The grandfather of Elian Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez, right, and his great grandmother Ramona Garrido, left, tell Elian to wave to schoolmates at Havana ... more

Photo: AP

RETRANSMISSION TO ADD GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S LAST NAME-The... Photo-5584624.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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Elian Gonzalez plays in his Miami home Thursday morning, April 13, 2000. Elian's Miami relatives defied a government deadline this afternoon, refusing to return the boy to his father's custody and prolonging a wrenching custody battle that began with a Thanksgiving Day boat wreck. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz, Pool) less

Elian Gonzalez plays in his Miami home Thursday morning, April 13, 2000. Elian's Miami relatives defied a government deadline this afternoon, refusing to return the boy to his father's custody and prolonging a ... more

Members of Mothers Against Repression pray the rosary as they stand hand in hand, Saturday, April 15, 2000, outside the home of the Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez. The tug-of-war over Gonzalez is turning into wait, with two federal courts considering the boys fate and protesters in Little Havana maintaining an uneasy vigil. (AP Photo/Amy E. Conn) less

Members of Mothers Against Repression pray the rosary as they stand hand in hand, Saturday, April 15, 2000, outside the home of the Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez. The tug-of-war over Gonzalez is turning ... more

Photo: AP

Members of Mothers Against Repression pray the rosary as they stand... Photo-5584626.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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As supporters in favor of keeping Elian Gonzalez in the United States hold up pictures of the six-year-old, Miami Mayor Joe Corollo talks with a reporter as he leaves a sidewalk news conference outside the Cuban Interest Section Tuesday, April 18, 2000 in Washington. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Cuban Interest Section less

As supporters in favor of keeping Elian Gonzalez in the United States hold up pictures of the six-year-old, Miami Mayor Joe Corollo talks with a reporter as he leaves a sidewalk news conference outside the ... more

Photo: AP

As supporters in favor of keeping Elian Gonzalez in the United... Photo-5584627.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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Elian Gonzalez is welcomed by his grandfather Rolando Betancourt Wednesday June 28, 2000 upon his arrival at the Jose Marti Airport in Havana, Cuba. Seven months after he was cast adrift in the Florida straits, Elian Gonzalez returned to his native Cuba, bringing to a close an international custody battle laced with Cold War passions. (AP Photo/Granma,Pool) less

Elian Gonzalez is welcomed by his grandfather Rolando Betancourt Wednesday June 28, 2000 upon his arrival at the Jose Marti Airport in Havana, Cuba. Seven months after he was cast adrift in the Florida ... more

Cuban boy Elian Gonzales blows out the candles of his birthday cake at his 9th birthday celebration in Cardenas, east of Havana, Friday Dec.6,2002 in Cardenas, East of Havana, Cuba. Life has never been the same for the child since an ill-fated attempt to take him to the United States left his mother dead and made him the focus of an international tug-of-war between relatives in Miami and his father in Cardenas. Castro attended the celebration for the famous boy.(AP Photo/Jose Goitia) HOUCHRON CAPTION (12/07/2002): Elian Gonzalez blows out the candles on his cake Friday during a celebration of his ninth birthday in Cardenas, near Havana. Among those attending was Cuban leader Fidel Castro. less

Cuban boy Elian Gonzales blows out the candles of his birthday cake at his 9th birthday celebration in Cardenas, east of Havana, Friday Dec.6,2002 in Cardenas, East of Havana, Cuba. Life has never been the ... more

Cuba's President Fidel Castro (L) talks to Elian Gonzalez during a political rally in celebration of Elian's 12th birthday in Cardenas, Cuba December 6, 2005. Elian is the shipwrecked boy who was travelling illegally with his mother and other passengers from Cuba to the U.S in November 1999. His mother and most of the others died when their boat capsized and Elian was placed with family members in Miami. He finally returned to his father in Cuba on June 28, 2000, after a fierce international custody battle. REUTERS/Claudia Daut less

Cuba's President Fidel Castro (L) talks to Elian Gonzalez during a political rally in celebration of Elian's 12th birthday in Cardenas, Cuba December 6, 2005. Elian is the shipwrecked boy who was travelling ... more

Cuban balsero boy Elian Gonzalez sits on the lap of his father Jose Miguel as they attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Moncada barracks attack, 26 July, 2003 in Santiago de Cuba. The failed attempt to seize the Cuban Army post in 1953 by Fidel Castro and his companions marks the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. AFP PHOTO/Adalberto ROQUE (Photo credit should read ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP/Getty Images) less

Cuban balsero boy Elian Gonzalez sits on the lap of his father Jose Miguel as they attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Moncada barracks attack, 26 July, 2003 in Santiago de Cuba. The failed ... more

Elian Gonzalez plays with Negra, a family pet, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, as he spends another day with his relatives while waiting to find out whether he is to be returned to his father in Cuba or to remain in Miami with relatives here. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) less

Elian Gonzalez plays with Negra, a family pet, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, as he spends another day with his relatives while waiting to find out whether he is to be returned to his father in Cuba or to remain in ... more

Cuban President Fidel Castro, puts his hand on the head of Elian Gonzalez Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 in the coastal city of Cardenas Cuba. Gonzalez. Gonzalez, wearing his school uniform, sat next to Castro at the political event recalling the island's successful campaign to gain custody of the boy from the United States. The Cuban boy thrust into the center of an international custody battle six years ago, celebrated his 12th birthday Tuesday listening to a two-hour speech by Castro. (AP Photo/Jorge Rey) less

Cuban President Fidel Castro, puts his hand on the head of Elian Gonzalez Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 in the coastal city of Cardenas Cuba. Gonzalez. Gonzalez, wearing his school uniform, sat next to Castro at the ... more

Photo: AP

Cuban President Fidel Castro, puts his hand on the head of Elian... Photo-5584634.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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RETRANSMITTED FOR ALTERNATE CROP-Elian Gonzalez with his father Juan Miguel Gonzalez waves aboard a jet bound for Cuba at Dulles Airport Wednesday, June 28, 2000. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Miami relatives' appeal to keep Elian in the United States, clearing his return to Cuba. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/14/2000): Juan Miguel Gonzalez and Elian Gonzalez. less

RETRANSMITTED FOR ALTERNATE CROP-Elian Gonzalez with his father Juan Miguel Gonzalez waves aboard a jet bound for Cuba at Dulles Airport Wednesday, June 28, 2000. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the ... more

Cuban shipwreck survivor Elian Gonzalez receives the Free Spirit Award from Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and the Freedom Forum, Friday Feb. 8, 2002 in Havana, Cuba. The private ceremony was attended by Elian's family and a few Cuban officials. (AP Photo/Jose Goitia) HOUCHRON CAPTION (02/09/2002): Shipwreck survivor Elian Gonzalez, now 8, receives the Freedom Forum's Free Spirit Award from Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and the Freedom Forum, in Havana on Friday. Throughout his ordeal "Elian was able to come back and laugh no matter how many grown-ups were tugging at him," Neuharth said. less

Wilted flowers sit in the hot Florida sun at the former home of Elian Gonzalez's Miami family Thursday, June 29, 2000, the day after the 6-year-old boy returned to Cuba. (AP Photo/Amy E. Conn) HOUCHRON CAPTION (06/30/2000): Wilted flowers sit on a fence at the former home of Elian Gonzalez's Miami relatives, who moved after the boy was taken from them. less

Wilted flowers sit in the hot Florida sun at the former home of Elian Gonzalez's Miami family Thursday, June 29, 2000, the day after the 6-year-old boy returned to Cuba. (AP Photo/Amy E. Conn) HOUCHRON CAPTION ... more

Photo: AP

Wilted flowers sit in the hot Florida sun at the former home of... Photo-5584637.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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Elian Gonzalez waves from a mobile lounge set up as a makeshift immigration office at Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, June 28, 2000. Elian's step-mother Nersy, left, is holding Elian's step-brother Hianny. Others are not identified. (AP Photo/Hyungwon Kang) less

Elian Gonzalez waves from a mobile lounge set up as a makeshift immigration office at Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, June 28, 2000. Elian's step-mother Nersy, left, is holding Elian's step-brother ... more

Photo: AP

Elian Gonzalez waves from a mobile lounge set up as a makeshift... Photo-5584638.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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This undated image made available Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 by CBS shows Elian Gonzalez, 11, in his seventh-grade classroom in Cuba. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle five years ago, calls Cuban President Fidel Castro his friend but also says he hopes someday to see his Miami family again. "Despite everything they did, it was wrong, they are (still) my family ... my uncles," the boy said in the interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," which released excerpts Thursday for the program that airs Sunday night, Oct. 2. (AP Photo/ CBSNews, 60 Minutes) less

This undated image made available Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 by CBS shows Elian Gonzalez, 11, in his seventh-grade classroom in Cuba. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle five ... more

In this television image taken Wednedsay, June 28, 2000, children are seen waving at helicopters hovering over Rosedale Farm near Washington, where Elian Gonzalez and his family are staying. The Supreme Court cleared the way earlier in the day for Elian's return to Cuba by rejecting a formal appeal filed by the boy's Miami relatives and a separate emergency request aimed at postponing his departure. (AP Photo/WTTG via CNN) less

In this television image taken Wednedsay, June 28, 2000, children are seen waving at helicopters hovering over Rosedale Farm near Washington, where Elian Gonzalez and his family are staying. The Supreme Court ... more

Photo: WTTG

In this television image taken Wednedsay, June 28, 2000, children... Photo-5584640.75886 - StamfordAdvocate

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Relatives welcome Elian Gonzalez as he arrives to Havana's Jose Marti international airport carried by his father Juan Miguel Gonzalez, Wednesday, June 28, 2000. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) HOUCHRON CAPTION (06/29/2000): Elian Gonzalez and his father, Juan Miguel, arrive at the Havana airport Wednesday to an enthusiastic but restrained reception, which was requested by Cuban government leaders. less

This undated image made available Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 by CBS shows Elian Gonzalez, 11, in his seventh-grade classroom in Cuba. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle five years ago, calls Cuban President Fidel Castro his friend but also says he hopes someday to see his Miami family again. "Despite everything they did, it was wrong, they are (still) my family ... my uncles," the boy said in the interview with CBS's "60 Minutes," which released excerpts Thursday for the program that airs Sunday night, Oct. 2. (AP Photo/ CBSNews, 60 Minutes) less

This undated image made available Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 by CBS shows Elian Gonzalez, 11, in his seventh-grade classroom in Cuba. Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle five ... more

Elian Gonzalez is shown in a photograph with his mother Elisabeth Brotons, in this image made from a Sunday April 16, 2000 broadcast of CBS' '60 Minutes.' (AP Photo/Courtesy CBS '60 Minutes') HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/17/2000): Elian Gonzalez and his mother, Elizabeth, are shown in a photo on CBS' ``60 Minutes.'' She drowned in November. less

Elian Gonzalez is shown in a photograph with his mother Elisabeth Brotons, in this image made from a Sunday April 16, 2000 broadcast of CBS' '60 Minutes.' (AP Photo/Courtesy CBS '60 Minutes') HOUCHRON ... more

Photo: AP

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Cuban high school students, one of which is wearing a 'Save Elian' T-shirt, participate in a school military excercise in Havana on Thursday, April 13, 2000. Cubans are waiting to see when and if Elian will return to Cuba with his father. (AP Photo/Scott Dalton) HOUCHRON CAPTION (04/14/2000): Cuban students, one wearing a "Save Elian" T-shirt, take part in a school military exercise Thursday in Havana. The Elian Gonzalez saga is closely followed in Cuba. less

Cuban high school students, one of which is wearing a 'Save Elian' T-shirt, participate in a school military excercise in Havana on Thursday, April 13, 2000. Cubans are waiting to see when and if Elian will ... more

Photo: AP

Cuban high school students, one of which is wearing a 'Save... Photo-5584644.75886 - StamfordAdvocate